For two periods, it looked like the story would be about two teams going in wildly different directions. The red-hot Chicago Blackhawks still won on Sunday, but the Los Angeles Kings nearly closed a three-goal gap in the third period, eventually falling 3-2.

Let’s get to the talking points.

Is this opening run good enough to make the Blackhawks the top Stanley Cup contender? If not, which team impresses you more?

Could Chicago be peaking too soon, though?

How would you compare the 2013 Blackhawks to the group that won it all?

Drew Doughty finally had a productive day, collecting two assists in that late flurry. Can he finally get it together?

On a similar note, which Kings star has been more disappointing: Doughty or Jonathan Quick?

The Kings are currently ranked 12th in the West with 12 standings points, leaving them four behind eighth-place Detroit. Will Los Angeles become one of the few defending champions to miss the playoffs?